Combined twine holder and cutting device



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Skaai; 1.

Y J. M. 'COPFIELD COMBINED TWINE HOLDER AND UTIING DEVICE.

ANo. 548,519. Patented 055. 22, 1895.

(No Model.) 2 Smeets-She??l 2.

J. M. GOPFIELD.

GOMBINED TWINE HULDEB, AND CUTTING DEVICE.

No. 548,519. Patented Oct. 22, 1895'.

@wwwk UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

JESSE M. OOFEIELD, OE EELLAIEE, AssIGNOR OE ONE-HALE TO AMOS S. GARMAN, on AKRON, OHIO.

COMBINED TWINE HOLDER AND CUTTING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,519, dated October 22, 1895.

Application filed April 10, 1895. Serial No. 645,137. (No model.) u

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JESSE M. COEEIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellaire, in the county of Belmont and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Twine Holder and Cutting Device; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled iu the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is in the nature of a combined twine holder and cutting device; and it'primarily has for its object to provide a device of this character in which the twine as it is pulled out will be automatically cut in uniform lengths and in which the end of the string will always be lett ready and convenient to be grasped by the hand.

Furthermore, my invention has for its objects to provide a twine-cutting means so arranged and operated that the string as it is drawn out will set in operation the cuttingknife to cut the string when it is pulled out to a predetermined length; to provide certain tension devices which can be adjusted or set so as to cut the strings of different lengths; to provide a cutting means so disposed that it cannot easily be damaged or get out of order and adapted to last for years and which can be adjusted to take up the wear on the cutting or shear edge.

Myinvention also has for its objects to provide a combined twine-cutting mechanism and a holding-box therefor, of a simple and inexpensive construction, which can be easily manipulated and which will eftectually serve for the intended purposes.

With other minor objects in view, which hereinafter will be referred to, my invention consists in such novel features of construction and peculiar combination of parts, all of which will be tirst described in detail, and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a perspective view of the holding-box extended and adapted for use as a shipping-box for the twine-cutting mechanism. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved twine-cutting mechanism fitted in an operative position on a counter, the box being arranged as a twine-holding drawer. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the box adjusted for use as a twine-holding drawer and of the lid or cover member. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the twine-cutter, taken practically on the line 4; 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a rear view of my improved twine-cutting mechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the reciprocating cutter in detail. Fig. 7 is a view in detail illustrating one of the adjustable wing members and the adjusting-disk hereinafter referred to.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by letters of reference, A indicates the cutting mechanism and B the combined twine-holding drawer and shipping-box, the construction of which is most clearly shown in Figs. l and 3, by reference to which it will be seen that the box when adjusted as a shipping-box is in the nature of a shallow square-shaped box, the body of which is formed of two sections B B2, hinged at b to fold together, which sections when in their extended or open position are held secure to such position by the staples b b', as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

One upper edge of the extended box at each side of the hinge has a notch b2, tor a purpose presently explained. Upon the lower face adjacent the meeting ends bx bx ot the sections B B2 are longitudinal grooves h3 b3, which are adapted when the box is folded to form a drawer or twine-holder to engage longitudinal cleats c c on the bottom of the coverlid member C, which at one edge has a notch c. When used as a twine-holder, the staples b' b are removed and the sections B B2 folded up to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which position the sections are rigidly held by the staples Z3 b', which are driven in the sides of the box, as shown. To form a convenient means ot attaching the drawer-box to acoun` ter or table, the lid is screwed to the under side of the said table or counter, with its notched edge projecting slightly, as shown in Fig. l. The drawer is then slid in place on the cleats and forms a convenient holder for the twine, the end of which passes up through the notch c.

The cutting mechanism A, which is preferably secured to the counter or table just over ICO the notched end of the lid C, and which, if desired, may be secured directly to the lid, comprises an ornamental skeleton-like frame, having a base or foot portion a formed integrally with the standard a', which terminates in an approximately-circular portion a2, flat on its rear face and formed with an overhanging ange a3 on the front side, extended at the forward end, as at a, and connects with the forward vertical member D, preferably integrally formed with the main frame, which member serves as a guide for the reciprocating cutter presently referred to.

Centrally the circular portion 0,2 of the frame has an aperture E to receive an arbor or stud-bolt F, threaded on one end to receive an adjusing wing-nutf.

G indicates a disk or wheel having a diameter nearly equal that of the circular portion of the frame, which is mounted to turn on the arbor F, and has on its rear face-a hub g, having a cam portion gx, which is adapted to intermittently engage a spring` throw-arm H, having a strike portion 71 which arm isin the nature of a wire spring-rod secured to the standard a', bent to the shape shown, and having its free arm connected with the reciprocating knife presently referred to. The front face of the wheel G is beveled at the edge, as at g2, and such wheel has four radial slots g3, in which are held to slide radially adjustable sector-plates J, formed with a foot memberj on the under side, which fits the slots, a forwardly-projecting stud-pin j', and an outwardly-flared rim memberjz, which terminates at the fiat or base portionj3. (See Fig. 4.) Kindicates an adjusting-disk, which is also journaled on the arbor F, and which has its inner face formed with a series of eccentric or cam grooves k, one for each sector-plate J, which grooves are adapted to engage the stud-pins j, as shown. This disk K is held to any of the adjusted positions by the adjusting-nut on the arbor F. It will be readily understood that by turning the disk to the right the sector-plates J will be moved outward through the medium of the pins j and grooves la, thereby increasing or expanding the diameter of the tension-disk, and it is manifest that by turning the disk to the left the sector members will be drawn inward and the diameter ofthe tension-disk decreased or contracted accordingly.

At one side the cutter-frame has a series of notches ax ctx and atthe upper end it has an ear a, to which is secured by the bolt b5 a flat tension-springb, the free end of which has a turned-up portion 57, which rests on a bearing member co7 of the frame, to which is attached a guide-rod c5, which prevents the cord from being pulled from beneath the spring bs.

The cutter-guide member D, before referred to, has its portion d5 formed with a guidenotch d6 and has at the lower end a tongue d8, which engages a notch d? in the supplemental guide member D', which has a cord guide or notch d corresponding to the notch d6, and

in addition has a forwardly-extending guidefinger d10 to materially aid in slipping the end of the cord over the cutter-way. This supplemental member is held secure tothe meinber D by the bolt d, and such member D. as well as D, has the adjacent faces formed fiat,

vwhereby to form the inner edges of the notches d6 and di into cutters, which, in connection with the beveled and tapered upper edge of the cutter M, form shear-like cutting members. The cutter is held to reciprocate vertically between the members D and D', the member D having` a seat or groove for such purpose. The lower end of the cutter M has a series of apertures m, through which passes the end N of the spring throw-arm H, which also projects through au elongated slot in the member D.

The manner in which my complete invention is used is best explained as follows: After the box is set up and the cutting devices placed in position, as shown in Fig. 2, the ball of twine is placed in the box and the end passed up through the notch in the lid and passed alternately between two or more of the notches ax and then once around the tension-disk produced by the sector-plates and then under the tension-springs be. This leaves the end hanging free to be grasped with the fingers. New when the operator desires pieces of string-for example, to tie sacks he takes hold of the end of the string, passes it through the guide-notches of the cutting members D D and pulls it in the direction indicated by the arrow. (See dotted lines. Fig. 2,) It is manifest that as he draws the string outward he turns the sectors and disk or large wheel, whichV causes the cam member on the large wheel to release the spring H, which at the proper time throws the cutter up to sever the string. It will thus be seen that as the operator pulls out the string the same will be automatically cut, and no matter how slow or how fast he may draw out such string the same length of string will always be cut, it being, however, obvious that such length may be varied by adjusting the sector members to increase or diminish the diameter of the tension-disk.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawings., it will be seen that my vention is very simple in its construction, it is always ready for use, and so arranged that by a simple pull on the string one gets the length of string required, the whole being capable of being worked by one hand, thereby saving both time and waste of string, as all pieces are of a uniform length.

O indicates a simple handle member formed of wire bent up to have hook portions, which when the box is closed to form a drawer tit in the apertures formed by the notches b2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. An improved twine cutting device comprisin g an expansible and contractible tension IOO IIO

and. feed device, adapted to revolve, a cutter reciprocated by the revolution of said tension device, and intermediate connections between said cutter and tension devices, whereby when the tension device revolves the cutter will be operated substantially as shown and described. Y

2. An improved twine cutting device comprising a main frame having an expansible and contractible twine receiving annulus mounted to revolve thereon, a revolving cam member, and a spring actuated cutter set in Lal operation by the said cam, substantially as shown and described.

- 3. An improved twine cutting device comprisinga main trame a revolving disk mounted thereon, and having a cam connected therewith, an expansible and contractible tension device carried by the said disk, the reciprocating cutter and spring for operating the same, said spring being acted upon by the cam substantially as shown and described.

4:. As an improvement in twine-cutters, the combination with a rotary disk having an adjustable twine-holding annulus, constructed to have its diameter increased or diminished, and a cutting mechanism having a cutter automatically set in operation at each complete rotation of the aforesaid disk, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

5. In a twine-cutting device as described, the combination with the frame, the rotary disk having radially adjustable sector-plates having their peripheral edges formed to hold the twine wound thereon, and a cutting mechanism connected with and operated by the rotation of the disk, all arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

6. In a twine-cutter as described, the combination with the rotary disk, havinga series of radial slots, of the sector plates J having portions'fitting the slots, and projecting studs, and a rotary disk having a series of cam or eccentric grooves on its inner face held to engage the said studs and adapted when turned in reverse directions to move outward or inward the aforesaid plates J, and means for securing the cam disk in its adj usted positions, all arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

7. An improved twine-cutter consisting of a supporting frame having notches ctx, a disk held to rotate on the frame having a series of sector plates on its front face, and a hub cam on its rear face, a plate tension member, a guide rod portion, said main frame having at its front end guide portions to receive the twine, a reciprocating cutter movable across the said guide portions, and a spring for moving the cutter, having an impact or shoulder member adapted to be engaged by the hub cam, all arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

8. The combination of the rotary wheel, the adjustable sector plates, the disk for adjusting such plates, and the arbor member F with the vertically reciprocating cutter, the guide members therefor, the spring for operating the cutter, and the cam carried by the wheel adapted to engage such spring, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JESSE M. COFFIELD. Witnesses:

W. B. KILLeoRE, F. J. DAY. 

